Events Error: 'unknown device' on all events on ALL cameras

[Tuna]

Every event shows ‘unknown device’ on all of the events/devices, the cameras all retain their names in the app. Currently the Firmware is Updated to the latest firmware.

I cannot view any of the events as a result of these ‘unknown device’ errors on all events recorded on all cameras. Playback is impossible, rendering the cameras virtually useless unless this can be corrected. I do not want to upgrade the firmware and I am not interested in paying a monthly fee for cloud events recording “service.”

I prefer not to have anything recorded to the cloud at all if the truth be known. I am quite certain this is related to paying for cloud. Looks like it is time to upgrade to some real security cameras where we have complete control over the devices and the DVR recording in house, on a Mac or Pee Cee, rather than these Wyze cam toys forcing us to pay for “service” we do not even want.

Where is the Mac/Pee Cee program to control these cameras on a full screen monitor? Requested years ago? I am still waiting for that, my guess is you only have a IOS programmers programming these iPhone, Android & IPad apps. Just like everything else I am betting it will never be forthcoming.

Any help?

[Tuna]

[DO NOT Buy a Wyze Cam - Here’s Why] (Second Post) (Please See First Post Below)

Update: We seem to have a lot of Wyze Cam apologists on the forum replying to this post.

NOT one single helpful solution to ANY of these problems has been offered. NOT ONE!

The dollar cost ratio to a Defender system is a continual reoccurring monthly (yearly) fee which Defender (one example) does not have.

Whereas Defender (one example) offers, features such as, Power over ethernet and WiFi, email/ alert notifications, AI, Person detection, Motion detection on a DVR or NVR system recorded locally with review possible from multiple devices. Starting around $200.oo ish for 4 cameras, expandable to 8 cameras.

If anyone wants to say a Wyze Cam is equivalent to these other security systems that is your choice, as for “It is well worth the money,” that is debatable.

Consider this a challenge.

BACK UP what you say with mathematical, statistical facts & included features, instead of your personal opinion and conjecture on the matter. I will personally post specific systems for less money with no reoccurring fees (monthly or yearly) and the same if not more features on those systems, for less money, and no cloud data collection which is completely unnecessary.

Anyone one who then doubts the veracity of these statements will have iron clad data for direct comparison.

You can be an apologist for Wyze all you want at that point.

My cameras are NOT working, I WILL provide screen shots (update - screenshot provided).

I am NOT paying $90.oo per year for cloud service when I asked Wyze when I bought the cams to provide RECORDING events DIRECTLY to their internal Micro SD card on the cams and was told it would eventually be forthcoming, and has NEVER materialized. I do not wish to buy a camera (to then pay a monthly credit card bill). When I am perfectly capable of controlling my own camera system without cloud service which is better and more efficient. AND; user/personal data is NOT being collected by cloud against my wishes for a fee I do not wish to pay.

Apologize for that!

I repeat: My cameras are NOT working, I cannot view events, on any of 6 cameras, period. And have not been able to do so for days now.

Today, I am buying a new security camera system which has end user security in mind and not monthly reoccurring fees which has compromised security not enhanced or increased security. I want a security camera system I can count on to work reliably 24/7, not a toy camera.

In my opinion that is NOT too much to ask when that is what I was sold and thought I purchased. It does not matter one iota to me how well all of YOUR cameras are working.

These are ALL facts and NOT simply my espousing of how great Wyze is for me. Opinions of Wyze with cameras which are NOT working, or security which is currently compromised and has been for days now, is not helpful, in any way, shape, or form.

I am NOT looking to appease Wyze Cam apologists, I WILL INSTALL A SECURITY CAMERA SYSTEM THAT IS RELIABLE with no reoccurring monthly/yearly fees & no cloud data collection. Meanwhile, I paid for these cameras & 4 year extended warranties, and they are NOW a TOTAL LOSS.

Anyone who reads this, if they are wise (pun intended) will look at a complete closed security camera system they can personally & individually control, themselves, in house. Wyze Cam is NOT a security camera system. The features have moved away from a cost saving, user friendly platform, to one with monthly/yearly fees & has always (in my opinion) been geared toward cloud/personal data collection, and not what is best for the end user’s privacy and security, and clearly has compromised mine in both instances. What has happened to any OTHER user is completely irrelevant and ONLY serves to gloss over ALL of these facts.

Cameras NOT working
Security Breeched
Money Lost
Time wasted
Personal data collected to cloud

NOT one single helpful solution to ANY of these problems has been offered. NOT ONE!

Thank you,

I may edit this as time permits

[Tuna]

DO NOT Buy a Wyze Cam - Here’s Why (First Post) (Please See Second Post Above)

We have a total of 6 Wyze Cam V2 cameras purchased with a 4 year warranty, when purchased they offered free cloud events recording, 12 second events, 1 every 5 minutes. Now, the cameras are absolutely and completely useless without cloud, since you can’t fast forward through the timeline on your local MicroSD card recordings, so unless you KNOW the exact time an event occurred, forget finding it randomly, or accidentally coming across the event you are looking to locate.

You cannot USE a Mac or PC to review the recordings unless you SWAP the Micro SD card out (which are a pain in the neck to unmount) and install a new Micro SD card, for 6 cameras you would have to spend hours daily, swapping Micro SD cards, downloading & reviewing Micro SD card video footage on a real computer screen.

If; I pay for ‘Cam Plus’ Cloud Services it would cost (for a total of 6 cameras) $90.oo µ$ per year (billed annually) @ 1.25 per month (in order to make it sound like a small amount of cost.)

If you simply buy a complete system. Example: $400 with a DVR or NVR recording device, you can get the alerts to your mobile device(s) absolutely free of charge indefinitely. Your video is 100% reviewable on a PC or Mac, Desktop, Laptop, Android, iPad, iPhone, etc. And in many cases, they have “popup screenshots” as you scan the timeline of your video with your mouse, so you can see exactly what is in the video without even watching the video first. Much faster and far more efficient than the Wyze Cam force you to buy/pay monthly (billed annually) Cam Plus cloud services.

In 4 years of spending money with the Wyze Cam for Cam Plus, you could invest in a serious security system with DVR or NVR. Into your 5th year of Wyze you would be spending another $90.oo µ$ for Cam Plus cloud services.

All of my cameras now say ‘Unknown Device’ when I attempt to access the events in the cloud. Meaning, I cannot access the 12 second events in the cloud free of charge anymore. When I purchased the cameras cloud was free indefinitely. With the limitation 12 second events, 1 every 5 minutes. Give me back what I originally purchased.

I am completely dissatisfied with the purchase of these Wyze Cam’s some more than 4 years ago, some newer. If I had known all 6 of these cameras would be rendered completely useless by this new Wyze Cam Policy, I would never have purchased 6 Wyze Cam’s in the first place. IN fact I would never have purchased any Wyze Cam products at all. There is NO OTHER option except to pay for service I do not want in order to be able to properly monitor the 6 cameras. There is NO OPTION TO RECORD THE EVENTS TO MY OWN Micro SD card internally. WHY NOT? Other cameras offer this option.

Wyze WILL NEVER make it possible for you (the end user) to CHOOSE to record events to YOUR OWN internal Micro SD card because that would render their cloud (Cam Plus), and thus their monthly revenue stream null and void. Why pay for something you can record and review yourself. That has always been the plan. Let me record my OWN events to the internal Micro SD card. End of story.

I read 1 commenter: if you don’t like it, then don’t buy a Wyze Cam. This is counter productive and completely negative and serves no purpose.

Well, that is a moot point at this stage. I already own 6 Wyze Cams (with extended 4 year warranty) and have for many years now. Besides, it is not the cameras I am dissatisfied with, it is the Wyze policy of money first, customer requested features & customer service second. Forcing potential customers to buy/purchase/pay for a service they do not want, is a business model which is destined to failure. Especially in light of the fact that other cameras offer the EXACT features discussed. Furthermore, it is completely absurd to treat the public as if they are idiots who will fall for such dishonest business practices & tactics. Mark my words this will come back to haunt you eventually once word gets out, and it eventually WILL get out.

You apparently did not learn anything working at Amazon, the customer ALWAYS comes first, they are the ones who provide profit. Any other consideration is secondary. If it is not, your business model is guaranteed to fail.

If you bought a Wyze Cam I recommend you SEND IT BACK as quickly as possible.

Wyze Cam thinks people don’t join this forum until AFTER they buy a Wyze Cam. This will be posted at other locations for this very reason. So we can catch the potential buyer BEFORE they make the mistake and waste their money. When you buy a Wyze Cam, it is conveniently hidden that cloud is a monthly cost and how much.

Thank you,

I may edit this as time permits

[WildBill]

You complain that none of the cameras are working and you cannot view any of the recordings. You also state that you have not received any helpful input from other customers here on the forum. What troubleshooting steps have you taken with regard to your issues? There are many things that can be tried to solve the problem but only if we know what you may already have done.

Are you on the current version of the App? Have you tried removing and reinstalling the app? Have you tried deleting and recreating one of the cameras? Have you called support to get assistance?

You haven’t mentioned any of that in your post so no one can be of much assistance. Information is crucial.

[WildBill]

You are still posting your complaints over and over on the forum yet you haven’t answered my questions. Do you want assistance or do you just want to vent about your issues? If you just want to vent, that’s fine and I’ll stop responding.

[Samuel]

Unknown device means it was removed from your app !! Check your house what if someone broke in and messed with everything !